Windthrown Trees on the Kings River Ranger District, Sierra National Forest: Meteorological Aspects

摘要

Blowdown in shelterwood, sanitation cuts, and other partial cuts on the Kings River Ranger District, Sierra National Forest, are due to Mono winds. Both winter storm and Mono winds were considered as causes of winter blowdown. All evidence, e.g. direction of tree-fall and occurrence of high wind events, point to Mono wind events, as the cause of blowdown. Only 12 percent of Mono wind events cause blowdown. Windspeed during a Mono wind (northeast winds) blowdown averages 50 mi/h with gusts to 100 mi/h.